A publication for the offshore shipping industry published by Clarkson Research

EMGS commences West of Shetland basalt mapping survey

Projects and Operations // October 4, 2012

Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) has commenced a fully pre-funded multi-client survey in the West of Shetland area.

The vessel Atlantic Guardian will acquire controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data for a minimum of three weeks in an area where basalt layers make the interpretation of seismic data challenging.

"We are excited by the market potential we see in combining seismic and CSEM/MT data to improve subsurface imaging in areas of complex geology. The objective of this survey is to improve the understanding of the basalt thickness and distribution and, ultimately, help to assess the hydrocarbon prospectivity of sediments below the basalt layers," said Roar Bekker, CEO of EMGS.

Whereas controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) surveying uses a high-power EM source to measure subsurface resistivity, magnetotelluric (MT) surveying uses natural signals generated from the interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field. Both EM methods use the same receivers. The combination of CSEM, MT and seismic data is particularly useful in understanding the geology in complex salt and basalt areas.